VB Weekend Winners and Losers

Wow that feels much better. It has a fair trade but the pain of the 7-1 defeat to Man United has been eased slightly by a convincing 3-0 win over Wolves.

Think of it as a bee sting being soothed with some cream, it's not going to stop the rot but it will help ;)

Anyways, analogies aside there was plenty to chew over in the victory over the Midlands side and it many highs and lows.

But who deserves some praise and who deserves a kick near the coccyx.

WINNERS

PAUL ROBINSON - Seems kind of strange don't you think that our goalie should be getting such high praise in a 3-0 win, surely the attacking players deserve a boost more don't they?

Well no as it goes. Robbo was sensational between the sticks and thoroughly deserved a clean sheet for his efforts alone.

Most of his stops weren't what you would call routine saves either, they were athletic parries that require the sort of agility and response times that he wasn't capable of during his time at Spurs.

He now has the saves to go alongside the distribution and the certainty that he has more or less always had.

If only he could remove the inconsistencies surrounding his cross and corner collections then we would have the complete keeper on our hands.

For now though what we do have is one of the stand out keepers of the 2010/11 Premier League season.

RYAN NELSEN - There were some calls in certain quarters for Phil Jones to be reinstated to his more familiar role as a centre half and for the more advanced in years New Zealander to be benched.

On this evidence that would have been a foolish move.

Nelsen can often be suspect when given pace to deal with but when the game turns into an out and out battle the man is imperious and a willing fighter.

He also enjoyed the pleasure of a goal and an assist to his name against a defensively sloppy Wolves side.

All in all, a good days work at the office.

MORTEN GAMST PEDERSEN - Welcome back sir.

After missing the trip to Manchester last weekend Morten was back in the side and all the better for it in his usual spot on the left of the midfield three.

The main reason for his inclusion in the winners circle (if you will) is his set piece delivery.

Not a free kick, corner or throw in was wasted as his delivery was on the money time and time again... it was almost as if Wolves were beaten into submission by the never ending barrage of pacey, quality set plays.

His all round game is certainly passable and his work rate is underrated, but it is set pieces that he is in the side for more often than not and in this sort of form he is a weapon. A lethal one at that.

LOSERS

DAVID DUNN - It feels kind of weird putting the opening goalscorer into such a negative spot but in my humble opinion David was off the pace for most of the match and looked a shell of the fantastic rampaging play maker he was last season.

It is a slow battle back to fitness with our home town boy, we have first hand experience of that - but should he be starting if that is the case.

David looked a yard short of the sort of form that made him last season's top scorer and needs to up his game to stay in the side.

The bonus obviously is that he got on the score sheet which should boost his confidence to produce a little bit better in future weeks and keep him away from the losers column.

PHIL JONES - Nothing especially wrong with our young master Jones this week but he looked a little lost in the shuffle after an impressive start to the season.

Dare I say he is worth a rest when N'Zonzi regains fitness? Or just a blip... Bolton away should reveal all.

HEROLD GOULON - From Old Trafford starting spot to not even being in the 18 to face Wolves a week later.

Quite a fall from grace for the man who looked a beast against Aston Villa.

Early doors I know for this ship to sail but a combination of Allardyce jumping the gun, trying too much too soon and not making the spot his own may have done our French bosman signing more harm than good.

A much better week, Nice to see players like Samba , Pedersen and Emo playing well, especially after I hve supported these players through the thick and thin whilst others on this site have on numerous occasions called for them to be sold or dropped in the past.
Funny how after a few good games and everyone loves them again (Not to name names :-p) Just hope we get what we need in January and exciting times can roll in at Ewood